By Sultan Ahmed | Project Leader
For many families in Afghanistan, accessing specialised medical care is not only a question of whether the treatment is available, it is also whether they can afford it.
At FMIC, the Patient Welfare Programme helps address this barrier by providing financial assistance to patients and families who cannot afford the full cost of their treatment. While support available through GlobalGiving represents only one part of FMIC's broader Patient Welfare resources, every contribution helps us extend this support to patients who need it.
The story of 19-year-old Fawzia, from Kunduz Province, is one example.
A Challenging Journey to Diagnosis
Fawzia arrived at FMIC after experiencing progressively worsening pain and restricted movement in her left hip for almost a year. Her condition had significantly affected her mobility and daily life.
Before coming to FMIC, she had received treatment at different healthcare facilities, including pain medication, antibiotics and anti-tuberculosis treatment. Despite these interventions, her condition continued to deteriorate.
At FMIC, she underwent a comprehensive clinical assessment and diagnostic investigations under the care of Dr. Rahmatullah Azimi, Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon and Fellow in Hip and Knee Joint Arthroplasty.
An X-ray revealed osteonecrosis (avascular necrosis) of the left femoral head, Ficat Stage IV, indicating advanced damage to the hip joint.
Treatment When It Was Needed Most
Following assessment, the orthopedic team recommended total left hip replacement surgery.
For Fawzia and her family, receiving this specialised treatment represented a significant financial challenge. Through FMIC's Patient Welfare Programme, financial assistance was provided to help reduce the cost of her treatment, enabling her to receive the surgical care she needed.
The support demonstrates why Patient Welfare matters. A patient may have access to specialised medical expertise, but without financial assistance, that care can remain out of reach.
Advanced Orthopedic Care
Fawzia's surgery was performed using the Direct Anterior Approach (DAA) for total hip replacement, an advanced surgical technique that provides minimally invasive access to the hip joint.
The procedure was performed with the patient in a supine position and supported by fluoroscopic imaging to assist with implant positioning and leg-length assessment.
The approach can offer several potential benefits, including reduced postoperative pain, shorter hospitalisation and earlier mobilisation when clinically appropriate.
From Pain to Mobility
Fawzia's recovery was encouraging.
After recovering from anesthesia, she was able to stand and walk with the assistance of a walker, experiencing only mild pain. By the following day, she was walking independently without a walker.
Her hip regained a full range of movement, and the severe pain that had restricted her daily life was significantly relieved.
For a 19-year-old, the ability to walk independently again is more than a clinical outcome. It represents a return to mobility, independence and hope for the future.
Why Your Support Matters
Fawzia's story brings together two important aspects of FMIC's work: specialised medical care and financial support for patients who cannot afford it.
FMIC continues to receive patients from across Afghanistan, many of whom face significant financial barriers to accessing specialised healthcare. Although GlobalGiving contributions are limited in relation to the overall need, they form part of the wider resources that enable FMIC's Patient Welfare Programme to support vulnerable patients.
We continue to do our best, within our available capacity and resources, to ensure that patients from across Afghanistan can access quality healthcare when they need it most.
Every contribution helps us reach another patient and another family.
For Fawzia, support came at a critical moment. Today, she can walk independently again.
Your support helps make stories like hers possible.
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